UH Board of Regents Presented with Preliminary Tuition Proposal

The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents (BOR) heard preliminary tuition increase plans from the UH administration at its monthly meeting held this week at Kapiʻolani Community College.

The university‘s current tuition schedule ends in Spring 2006, and the new five-year schedule presented to the BOR is proposed to begin in Fall 2006 and run through Spring 2011.

Current student tuition rates at the University of Hawaiʻi are well below national averages. UH Mānoa‘s undergraduate tuition rate is approximately 31 percent below the national average, while graduate tuition rates at UH Mānoa are approximately 17 percent below the national average.

"This proposed tuition schedule and the planned financial aid increase will put the university on a sounder fiscal footing while ensuring that our excellent record of access is maintained," said UH Interim President David McClain.

With the figures proposed, resident and non-resident tuition at UH Mānoa will be increased to alignment with national averages over the five-year period, and resident and non-resident tuition at UH Hilo and the community colleges will be increased to alignment with WICHE averages over the five-year period. WICHE (Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education) comprises institutions from 15 western states.

Currently, undergraduate resident tuition per semester is $1,752 at UH Mānoa, $1,236 at UH Hilo, $1,128 at UH West Oʻahu, and $735 at the UH Community Colleges. The proposed tuition schedule will increase undergraduate resident tuition per semester from $2,184 in 2006-07 to $3,912 in 2010-11 for UH Mānoa, $1,524 in 2006-07 to $2,676 in 2010-11 for UH Hilo, $1,392 in 2006-07 to $2,448 in 2010-11 for UH West Oʻahu, and $855 in 2006-07 to $1,335 in 2010-11 for the UH Community Colleges.

Currently, undergraduate non-resident tuition is $4,992 at UH Mānoa, $4,020 at UH Hilo, $3,696 at UH West Oʻahu, and $3,630 at the UH Community Colleges. The proposed tuition schedule will increase undergraduate non-resident tuition per semester from $6,180 in 2006-07 to $10,932 in 2010-11 for UH Mānoa, $4,848 in 2006-07 to $8,160 in 2010-11 for UH Hilo, $4,452 in 2006-07 to $7,476 in 2010-11 for UH West Oʻahu, and $4,230 in 2006-07 to $6,630 in 2010-11 at the UH Community Colleges.

Linda Johnsrud, UH Associate Vice President for Planning and Policy, presented the tuition proposal to the BOR on behalf of the UH chancellors and the systemwide Biennium Budget Committee that included faculty, staff, and students. The proposal was developed in a year-long process that involved meetings and discussions with students, faculty, and representatives from all campuses.

"The BOR policy regarding tuition setting provides explicit guidelines. We took into account, for example, access and student mix, financial aid availability and use, the cost of education and the cost share borne by students and the share borne by the state, and comparisons with like institutions on the mainland," said Johnsrud.

In order to protect access for low-income students, the proposal includes a commitment to significantly increase need-based financial aid. Currently, $4.8 million of need-based aid is awarded as tuition waivers; by 2010-11, $20.7 million would be set aside to meet the financial need of students.

Although BOR policy does not require a multiple year schedule, the proposal from the administration recommended another five-year schedule because it is helpful to students and their families to be able to plan ahead, and it is useful for campus financial planning as well.

"The intent of the tuition proposal is to set tuition rates that are fair, reasonable, and responsible," said Johnsrud.

Public meetings on the proposed tuition increases will be held in February and March. Dates and locations will be announced shortly.